Man dies in Maple Ridge RCMP custody; police watchdog investigating

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating the death of a man in RCMP custody after his arrest near Maple Ridge Thursday night.

Mounties responded to a report of an erratic driver near Lougheed Highway and Old Dewdney Trunk Road in Pitt Meadows around 7 p.m.

The driver was stopped, arrested and taken to a Ridge Meadows RCMP cell.

The IIO says the man was then found to be in medical distress around 11:45 p.m.

“Shortly before midnight, during a routine cell check the man was not responsive and emergency services were called. Medical assistance was provided, but he was pronounced deceased,” said the RCMP in a statement Monday.

The IIO was reportedly notified of the man’s death shortly afterward, and started an investigation.

“Initial investigative steps will seek to confirm the details of the arrest, medical event, and death to determine if there are reasonable grounds to believe that any officer may have committed an offence,” the police watchdog said.